Tribal leaders in South Dakota and their representatives say Gov. Mike Round (R) interfered with a bill that would have forced compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.

The original version would have written ICWA into state law. But at the insistence of Rounds, it was changed. Now, a commission will study whether the state is abiding by ICWA.

Tribal leaders say they already know the answer is no. Rep. Tom Van Norman, a Democrats who represents the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, and other lawmakers are worried the state will try to justify its practices.

Get the Story:
Tribes seek action on ICWA compliance (The Rapid City Journal 2/24)

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Bill seeks study of Indian child welfare system in S.D. (02/05)